2026 Copa Libertadores group stage
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage is played from 7 April to 28 May 2026.[1] A total of 32 teams compete in the group stage to decide the 16 places in the final stages of the 2026 Copa Libertadores.[2]
The draw for the group stage was held on 19 March 2026, 20:00 PYT (UTC−3), at the CONMEBOL Convention Centre in Luque, Paraguay.[3][4]
Teams were seeded by their CONMEBOL Clubs ranking as of 15 December 2025 (shown in parentheses),[5] taking into account the following three factors:[6]
- Performance in the last 10 years, taking into account Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana results in the period 2016–2025.
- Historical coefficient, taking into account Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana results in the period 1960–2015 and 2002–2015 respectively.
- Local tournament champion, with bonus points awarded to domestic league champions of the last 10 years.
For the group stage, the 32 teams were drawn into eight groups (Groups A–H) of four containing a team from each of the four pots. Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same group, excluding the four winners of the third stage, which were allocated to Pot 4 and could be drawn into the same group with another team from the same association.[7]
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
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- Notes
- ^ TH The defending Copa Libertadores champions were automatically allocated to Group A and the position A1.
- ^ CS The defending Copa Sudamericana champions were seeded in Pot 2.
- ^ Q3 The third stage winners were seeded in Pot 4.
The following are the four winners of the third stage of qualifying which joined the 28 direct entrants in the group stage.
| Match | Third stage winners |
|---|---|
| G1 |  Independiente Medellín |
| G2 | Deportes Tolima |
| G3 |  Sporting Cristal |
| G4 |  Barcelona |
Format
In the group stage, each group is played on a home-and-away round-robin basis. The winners and runners-up of each group will advance to the round of 16 of the final stages. The third-placed teams of each group will enter the knockout round play-offs of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana.
Tiebreakers
Tiebreakers were changed starting from this edition, with head-to-head performance being prioritized over overall goal difference and goals scored. Disciplinary performance (red and yellow cards) was also included, removing away goals scored as well as placement in the CONMEBOL ranking as tiebreakers.[8] The full order of tiebreaking criteria, according to Regulations Article 2.4.2, is as follows:[2]
- Points
- Head-to-head points
- Head-to-head goal difference
- Head-to-head goals scored
- Overall goal difference
- Overall goals scored
- Red cards
- Yellow cards
- Drawing of lots
Schedule
The schedule of each matchday is as follows (Regulations Article 2.2.2).[9][2][1]
| Matchday | Dates | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Matchday 1 | 7–9 April 2026 | Team 4 vs. Team 2, Team 3 vs. Team 1 |
| Matchday 2 | 14–16 April 2026 | Team 2 vs. Team 3, Team 1 vs. Team 4 |
| Matchday 3 | 28–30 April 2026 | Team 2 vs. Team 1, Team 4 vs. Team 3 |
| Matchday 4 | 5–7 May 2026 | Team 3 vs. Team 2, Team 4 vs. Team 1 |
| Matchday 5 | 19–21 May 2026 | Team 1 vs. Team 2, Team 3 vs. Team 4 |
| Matchday 6 | 26–28 May 2026 | Team 1 vs. Team 3, Team 2 vs. Team 4 |
Groups
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | FLA | EST | DIM | CUS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Flamengo |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 7 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 20 May | 4–1 | 26 May | |
| 2 |  Estudiantes |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 5 | 1–1 | — | 26 May | 2–1 | ||
| 3 | Independiente Medellín |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 4 | Transfer to Copa Sudamericana | 7 May | 1–1 | — | 1–0 | |
| 4 | Cusco |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0 | 0–2 | 6 May | 20 May | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 30 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
| Independiente Medellín | 1–1 | Estudiantes |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
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Referee: Alexis Herrera (Venezuela)
| Cusco | 0–2 | Flamengo |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
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Referee: Derlis López (Paraguay)
| Estudiantes | 2–1 | Cusco |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
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Referee: José Cabero (Chile)
| Flamengo | 4–1 | Independiente Medellín |
|---|---|---|
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Report |
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| Estudiantes | 1–1 | Flamengo |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
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Referee: Piero Maza (Chile)
| Independiente Medellín | 1–0 | Cusco |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Referee: Gery Vargas (Bolivia)
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | TOL | NAC | UNI | COQ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deportes Tolima |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 6 May | 0–0 | 3–0 | |
| 2 |  Nacional |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 3–1 | — | 20 May | 26 May | ||
| 3 | Universitario |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | Transfer to Copa Sudamericana | 26 May | 4–2 | — | 0–2 | |
| 4 |  Coquimbo Unido |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 4 | 19 May | 1–1 | 7 May | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 29 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
| Deportes Tolima | 0–0 | Universitario |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)
| Coquimbo Unido | 1–1 | Nacional |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
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| Nacional | 3–1 | Deportes Tolima |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
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| Universitario | 0–2 | Coquimbo Unido |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Referee: Ramon Abatti (Brazil)
| Deportes Tolima | 3–0 | Coquimbo Unido |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Referee: Anderson Daronco (Brazil)
| Universitario | 4–2 | Nacional |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Referee: Carlos Benítez (Paraguay)
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | IRI | BOL | DLG | FLU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Independiente Rivadavia (X) |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 9 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 1–0 | 4–1 | 6 May | |
| 2 |  Bolívar |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | 27 May | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | ||
| 3 |  Deportivo La Guaira |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 2 | Transfer to Copa Sudamericana | 21 May | 6 May | — | 0–0 | |
| 4 | Fluminense |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 1 | 1–2 | 19 May | 27 May | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 30 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
(X) Assured of at least Copa Sudamericana knockout round play-offs
(X) Assured of at least Copa Sudamericana knockout round play-offs
| Deportivo La Guaira | 0–0 | Fluminense |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Referee: José Burgos (Uruguay)
| Bolívar | 1–1 | Deportivo La Guaira |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
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Referee: Anthony Díaz (Ecuador)
| Fluminense | 1–2 | Independiente Rivadavia |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| Bolívar | 2–0 | Fluminense |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Referee: Derlis López (Paraguay)
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | UCA | BOC | CRU | BSC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Universidad Católica |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 6[a] | Advance to round of 16 | — | 1–2 | 6 May | 21 May | |
| 2 | Boca Juniors |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6[a] | 28 May | — | 19 May | 3–0 | ||
| 3 | Cruzeiro |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6[a] | Transfer to Copa Sudamericana | 1–2 | 1–0 | — | 28 May | |
| 4 | Barcelona |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | −5 | 0 | 1–2 | 5 May | 0–1 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 29 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
Notes:
Notes:
| Barcelona | 0–1 | Cruzeiro |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
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| Universidad Católica | 1–2 | Boca Juniors |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Referee: Gustavo Tejera (Uruguay)
| Boca Juniors | 3–0 | Barcelona |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia)
| Cruzeiro | 1–2 | Universidad Católica |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| Cruzeiro | 1–0 | Boca Juniors |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Referee: Esteban Ostojich (Uruguay)
| Barcelona | 1–2 | Universidad Católica |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Group E
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | COR | PLA | SFE | PEÑ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corinthians (X) |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 9 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 27 May | 2–0 | 2–0 | |
| 2 | Platense |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0–2 | — | 2–1 | 7 May | ||
| 3 | Santa Fe |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 1[a] | Transfer to Copa Sudamericana | 6 May | 19 May | — | 1–1 | |
| 4 | Peñarol |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 1[a] | 21 May | 1–2 | 27 May | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 30 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
(X) Assured of at least Copa Sudamericana knockout round play-offs
Notes:
(X) Assured of at least Copa Sudamericana knockout round play-offs
Notes:
| Platense | 0–2 | Corinthians |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
Referee: Piero Maza (Chile)
| Corinthians | 2–0 | Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| Corinthians | 2–0 | Peñarol |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Referee: Cristian Garay (Chile)
Group F
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | CRI | PAL | CCP | JUN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sporting Cristal |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 5 May | 1–0 | 2–0 | |
| 2 | Palmeiras |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 5 | 2–1 | — | 20 May | 28 May | ||
| 3 |  Cerro Porteño |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Transfer to Copa Sudamericana | 28 May | 1–1 | — | 1–0 | |
| 4 | Junior |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 1 | 20 May | 1–1 | 7 May | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 29 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
| Sporting Cristal | 1–0 | Cerro Porteño |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Referee: Darío Herrera (Argentina)
| Cerro Porteño | 1–0 | Junior |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| Palmeiras | 2–1 | Sporting Cristal |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
| Sporting Cristal | 2–0 | Junior |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| Cerro Porteño | 1–1 | Palmeiras |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
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Referee: Gustavo Tejera (Uruguay)
Group G
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | LDQ | LAN | MIR | CAR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LDU Quito |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 6[a] | Advance to round of 16 | — | 20 May | 2–0 | 26 May | |
| 2 | Lanús |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 6[a] | 1–0 | — | 26 May | 1–0 | ||
| 3 | Mirassol |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6[a] | Transfer to Copa Sudamericana | 7 May | 1–0 | — | 2–0 | |
| 4 | Always Ready |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0 | 0–1 | 5 May | 19 May | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 29 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
Notes:
Notes:
| Always Ready | 0–1 | LDU Quito |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
| Mirassol | 1–0 | Lanús |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| LDU Quito | 2–0 | Mirassol |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Referee: Roberto Pérez (Peru)
| Lanús | 1–0 | Always Ready |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Referee: Alexis Herrera (Venezuela)
Group H
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ROS | IDV | UCV | LIB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rosario Central |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 7 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 0–0 | 19 May | 5 May | |
| 2 | Independiente del Valle |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 7 | 27 May | — | 3–1 | 19 May | ||
| 3 | Universidad Central |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 3 | Transfer to Copa Sudamericana | 0–3 | 5 May | — | 3–1 | |
| 4 | Libertad |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 0 | 0–1 | 2–3 | 27 May | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
| Universidad Central | 3–1 | Libertad |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
Referee: Flavio de Souza (Brazil)
| Rosario Central | 0–0 | Independiente del Valle |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia)
| Libertad | 0–1 | Rosario Central |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
Referee: Raphael Claus (Brazil)
| Independiente del Valle | 3–1 | Universidad Central |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
Referee: Jordi Espinoza (Peru)
| Libertad | 2–3 | Independiente del Valle |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
Referee: Carlos Betancur (Colombia)
| Universidad Central | 0–3 | Rosario Central |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Referee: José Burgos (Uruguay)
Notes
- 1 2 3 Independiente Rivadavia play their home matches at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza instead of their regular stadium Estadio Bautista Gargantini, Mendoza which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
- 1 2 3 Junior play their home matches at Estadio Jaime Morón León, Cartagena instead of their regular stadium Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla which was closed for remodeling works to host the 2026 Copa Sudamericana final.[14]
- ↑ Referee Facundo Tello from Argentina, who was originally assigned to the Junior v Palmeiras match, was replaced by Maximiliano Ramírez from Argentina.[15]
- ↑ The Sporting Cristal vs. Cerro Porteño match, originally scheduled to be played at Estadio Nacional, Lima, was first moved to Estadio Alejandro Villanueva, Lima after Estadio Nacional was temporarily closed due to the poor state of the field of play.[16] On 3 April 2026, Estadio Alejandro Villanueva was also closed due to safety reasons, ultimately leading to move the match to Estadio Miguel Grau, Callao.[17]
- 1 2 Sporting Cristal will play their home matches against Junior and Palmeiras at Estadio Alejandro Villanueva, Lima (originally scheduled at Estadio Nacional, Lima) instead of their regular stadium Estadio Alberto Gallardo, Lima which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.[19][20]
References
- 1 2 "CONMEBOL LIBERTADORES 2026 PROGRAMA DE PARTIDOS - FASE DE GRUPOS | Departamento de Competiciones y Operaciones | Versión 20.03.2026" (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 20 March 2026. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Manual de Clubes CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026" [2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores Clubs Handbook] (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ↑ "¿Cuándo es el sorteo de la fase de grupos de la CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026?" [When is the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores group stage draw?] (in Spanish). ESPN. 16 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ↑ "Road to Eternal Glory: these are the groups for the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores". CONMEBOL. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ↑ "Ranking de Clubes de la CONMEBOL 2026" [2026 CONMEBOL Clubs Ranking] (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ↑ "RANKING DE CLUBES DE LA CONMEBOL 2021 SISTEMA DE PUNTAJE" (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 2 February 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 August 2021.
- ↑ "Lo que hay que saber: Todo sobre el sorteo de la Fase de Grupos" [What you need to know: Everything about the Group Stage draw]. CONMEBOL. 13 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ↑ Onefootball (20 March 2026). "CONMEBOL scraps away goals rule as tiebreaker". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
- ↑ "Calendario de la CONMEBOL Libertadores, CONMEBOL Sudamericana y CONMEBOL Recopa 2026" [Schedule for the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores, CONMEBOL Sudamericana and CONMEBOL Recopa] (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ↑ "Flamengo dá show, goleia Independiente de Medellín e mantém 100% na Libertadores" [Flamengo puts on a show, thrashes Independiente de Medellín, and remains undefeated in the Libertadores]. www.estadao.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). O Estado de S. Paulo. 16 April 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ↑ "Fluminense leva virada do Independiente Rivadavia em primeira viagem internacional dos argentinos" [Fluminense suffers a comeback defeat at the hands of Independiente Rivadavia in the Argentines' first international trip]. www.estadao.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). O Estado de S. Paulo. 15 April 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ↑ Statuti, Eduardo (15 April 2026). "Cruzeiro leva gol no fim e é derrotado pela Universidad Católica no Mineirão" [Cruzeiro concedes a late goal and loses to Universidad Católica at Mineirão] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Belo Horizonte (MG): Lance!. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ↑ Lázaro, Fábio (15 April 2026). "Corinthians decide pelo alto, vence o Santa Fé e dispara na Libertadores" [Corinthians decides with a header, defeats Santa Fe and takes a commanding lead in the Libertadores]. www.uol.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). São Paulo: Universo Online. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ↑ "Junior se muda al Jaime Morón para la Copa Libertadores" [Junior move to the Jaime Morón for the Copa Libertadores] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 13 March 2026. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ↑ "Cambio de árbitro en el partido de Junior vs. Palmeiras" [Referee change in the Junior vs. Palmeiras match] (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 2 April 2026. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
- ↑ Ardiles, Sebastián (30 March 2026). "¡Definido! Sporting Cristal ya tiene estadio para recibir a Cerro Porteño en la Libertadores" [It's official! Sporting Cristal already have a stadium to host Cerro Porteño in the Libertadores] (in Spanish). Depor. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
- ↑ "¡Cambio de escenario! Cristal jugará ante Cerro Porteño en el Miguel Grau" [Change of stadium! Cristal will play Cerro Porteño at Miguel Grau] (in Spanish). Ovación. 6 April 2026. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ↑ Magatti, Ricardo (16 April 2026). "Análise | Palmeiras sofre mais que o esperado, bate Sporting Cristal e conquista 1ª vitória na Libertadores" [Analysis | Palmeiras struggles more than expected, beats Sporting Cristal, and secures its first victory in the Libertadores]. www.estadao.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). O Estado de S. Paulo. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ↑ "Sporting Cristal cambió sede para enfrentar a Junior y Palmeiras" [Sporting Cristal changed venue to face Junior and Palmeiras] (in Spanish). América Televisión. 20 April 2026. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "Cambio de escenario en un partido de la CONMEBOL Libertadores" [Change of venue in a CONMEBOL Libertadores match] (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 21 April 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ↑ Silva, Oscar (8 April 2026). "Mirassol 1 x 0 Lanús-ARG - Leão faz história e vence na estreia da Libertadores" [Mirassol 1 x 0 Lanús-ARG – Leão makes history with a win in their Libertadores debut] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Futebol Interior. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
External links
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